Below you will find the words to the carols we are singing at the Forest Carols event on Sunday 12th December.
The Holly and the Ivy
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom,
As white as the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our sweet Saviour.
O the rising of the sun…
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to do us sinners good.
O the rising of the sun…
The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun…
The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun…
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun…
—————
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Filled the air;
But only His Mother
In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.
—————
Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Your sweetest songs employ;
While fields and streams, and hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
The wonders of His love,
The wonders of His love,
The wonders, the wonders, of His love.
—————
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And peace to all the earth
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
—————
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born King!”
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord.
Late in time behold him come,
offspring of the virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with us to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born King!”
Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth
Born to give us second birth
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the new-born King!”